CBS News/New York Times Poll For release: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 7:00 AM EDT The Fighting

in Syria and other Foreign Policy Issues

April 24-28, 2013

Though support for U.S. involvement in Syria has risen slightly, most Americans 62% continue to reject the idea that the U.S. has a responsibility to do something about the fighting there, and fewer Americans are paying attention to news about that country. Just 15% think North Korea is a threat that requires immediate military action, down five points from March. Most Americans 56% - think it is a threat that can be contained for now. Seven in 10 Americans continue to support the use of unmanned drones to carry out bombing attacks against suspected terrorists in foreign countries.

The Fighting in Syria Most Americans continue to say the United States does not have a responsibility to intervene in the fighting in Syria. While 24% of Americans think the United States does have a responsibility to do something about the fighting between government forces and anti-government groups in Syria a four point increase since last month -- far more, 62%, reject this idea. Does the U.S. Have a Responsibility in Syria? Now 3/2013 12/2012 Yes 24% 20% 27% No 62 69 62 Most Democrats, Republicans, and independents agree that the U.S. does not have a responsibility to get involved in the conflict in Syria. Even as news of the possible use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government was announced by the Obama Administration, fewer Americans are paying attention to news about Syria than were doing so last month. In March, slightly more than half of all Americans were following news about Syria at least somewhat closely. Now, four in 10 say they are doing so, including just 10% who are following it very closely. How Closely Have You Been Following News About Syria? Now 3/2013 Very closely 10% 12% Somewhat closely 29 42 Not too closely 60 44

Still, those following the news about Syria very closely are far more likely to think the U.S. has a responsibility to get involved there. Nearly half (47%) of that group thinks the U.S. has a responsibility to get involved there -- though about as many do not (48%). Does the U.S. Have a Responsibility in Syria? All Following News about Syria Americans Very Closely Yes 24% 47% No 62 48 North Korea Fewer Americans now think North Korea is a threat that requires immediate military action than did so last month. Just 15% of Americans think North Korea is a threat to the United States that requires military action now, down from 20% in March. Meanwhile the percentage that thinks North Korea is not a threat at all has risen, from 15% last month to 21% today. Most Americans 56% - think North Korea is a threat that can be contained for now. How Great a Threat is North Korea? Now 3/2013 Requires military action now 15% 20% Can be contained for now 56 56 Not a threat at this time 21 15 The Drone Program The practice of using unmanned drone aircrafts to attack suspected terrorists in foreign countries a policy begun by the Bush Administration and expanded under President Obama continues to enjoy widespread and bipartisan support. Seven in 10 Americans favor using drones to attack suspected terrorists abroad, including large majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Support for the drone program is virtually unchanged from last month. Drone Attacks Against Suspected Terrorists in Foreign Countries Total Reps Dems Inds Favor 70% 79% 64% 70% Oppose 20 14 26 21
__________________________________________________________________________ This poll was conducted by telephone from April 24-28, 2013 among 965 adults nationwide. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.